FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE FARM ANIMAL HOSPITAL

MAKING AN APPOINTMENT AND GETTING TO THE CHUV

IS IT POSSIBLE TO OBTAIN ADVICE FROM A SPECIALIST OR A VETERINARIAN OVER THE PHONE?

It is unfortunately not possible to obtain any advice by phone if your animal is not actually a patient at the CHUV. We suggest that you either contact your regular veterinarian or call to make an appointment for a consultation.

HOW CAN I MAKE AN APPOINTMENT?

You can make an appointment with our specialists. To do so, your veterinarian must directly contact our team, who will be happy to give them all the necessary information concerning your first appointment.

HOW CAN I CANCEL AN APPOINTMENT?

Please contact the farm animal admission’s service as soon as possible at 450-778-8100.

HOW DO I GET TO THE CHUV?

CAN I BRING MY ANIMAL IN DURING THE NIGHT

If you present yourself for an emergency out of regular hospital hours, please the bell at door number 41. Please take note that there may be a delay of several minutes before someone comes to the door.

WHERE CAN I PARK MY VEHICULE?

You can park anywhere along des Vétérinaires avenue. Other parking spaces require a permit from the University of Montreal without which a parking ticket will be issued

Free visitors parking permits are available at the admissions desk of the Equine Hospital for owners with trailers and parking is available near door #41.

WHAT CAN I DO IN THE AREA WHILE I WAIT FOR MY HORSE? WHERE CAN I EAT? WHERE CAN I STAY?

A restaurant (Presse Café) is located a few steps away from the CHUV, at 1500 des Vétérinaires Avenue. Opening hours are from 7 am to 4 pm Monday to Friday.

NORMAL COURSE OF EVENTS DURING CONSULTATION OR HOSPITALISATION

WHAT IS THE NORMAL COURSE OF EVENTS DURING A CONSULTATION?

A resident will be in charge of explaining every detail related to your animal’s condition and to answer your questions. During your animal’s hospitalisation, a resident will contact you on a regular basis to keep you informed. Communications are usually made in the afternoon or at the end of the day. You are also welcome to contact us at any time to receive updates of your animal. Il vous est aussi possible de nous contacter afin d’obtenir des nouvelles concernant votre animal. A member of our team will get back to you as soon as possible.

As for the specialist, he will contact your regular veterinarian to inform them of any developments concerning your animal’s condition.

WILL I WAIT FOR A LONG TIME IF I DON’T HAVE A SCHEDULED APPOINTMENT?

You must first obtain an appointment to be able to meet with a specialist. For an emergency, it is impossible for us to foresee the waiting time, which may vary from a few minutes to a few hours, since priority is given to the more unstable cases

WILL STUDENTS BE IN CHARGE OF MY ANIMAL?

Since we are part of a teaching establishment, students will be implicated in the examination and treatment of your animal. At all times, students are supervised by a qualified veterinarian.

THE CHUV’S TEAM

WHAT KIND OF TRAINING DOES A QUALIFIED VETERINARIAN RECEIVE? WHAT KIND OF TRAINING DOES A VETERINARY SPECIALIST HAVE?

A degree in veterinary medicine demands 5 full time years of studies. The title of doctor does not convey the right to practice veterinary medicine. To be able to practice in Quebec, the veterinarian must pass the exams required by the College of Veterinarians of Quebec.

Internship

An intern is a qualified veterinarian who is completing a 53 week full time advanced training course, in applied veterinary sciences, in a selected field of interest (small animal, bovine, equine and zoological) under the supervision of specialists.

Residency

The ultimate step for the veterinarian wishing to become a specialist is the residency program, a three year full time graduate training program, leading to a diploma of specialised studies in veterinary medicine. There are many residency programs recognized by the American Veterinary Medical Association such as anesthesiology, cardiology, dentistry, dermatology, internal medicine, neurology, oncology and ophthalmology. The resident must finally complete a series of exams with one of the recognized American or European associations to earn the status of Diplomat.

WHAT IS THE ROLE OF THE TECHNICAL AND SUPPORT STAFF?

The animal health technician ensures technical support to the patients at the CHUV. The technician will prepare the animals for and assist the veterinarian during medical and surgical procedures. The technician also provides care to the animals as prescribed by the veterinarian. The technician may meet with an owner to collect pertinent information regarding their animal and convey it to the professional.
The animal care attendant transports, prepares and distributes food to the animals as well as handles, restrains and displaces them. The attendant finally, cleans and disinfects cages, washes food and water bowls and any other accessory.

BILLING AND METHODS OF PAYMENT

HOW MUCH CAN CARE FOR MY ANIMAL COST?

Following your animal’s initial assessment, a detailed estimate of costs for procedures and treatment will be presented to you. This estimate does not, however, include costs for medication.

Since this is only an estimate, the amount can vary with any change in your animal’s status during hospitalisation since other procedures may be necessary therefore adding additional costs. It is therefore possible that the final bill be different from the initial statement. However, daily contact with your animal’s veterinarian will allow you to keep up to date with any change in your animal’s condition as well as associated costs.

We encourage you to ask the attending veterinarian for regular updates concerning costs related to any diagnostic and therapeutic procedures that your animal has received

WHAT IS THE CHUV’S POLICY FOR PAYMENT?

A deposit of 1000$ will be requested for animal’s arriving from another province or country. If your animal has been cared for at the farm animal Hospital, a bill will be sent to you through the mail following its discharge. You will then be able to pay off your bill through your financial institution.

Financing with AccordD from Desjardins is available at the CHUV. You can find out about this service by asking any member of our team.

IS IT POSSIBLE TO OBTAIN A DISCOUNT BECAUSE OF YOUR STATUS OF TEACHING ESTABLISHMENT?

Although the CHUV is part of a university teaching institution that has the mission of training future veterinarians, your animal will be treated by experienced generalists and renowned specialists. For these reasons, our prices are sensibly the same as in other specialized establishments to the exception of our professional fees that are not taxable.

MAY I RECEIVE A DETAILED INVOICE?

You can obtain a detailed invoice of care and procedures your pet received by simply asking the receptionist. If you have any questions or concerns regarding your bill, it will be our pleasure to answer any of them.

GENERAL INFORMATION

IS IT POSSIBLE TO PURCHASE MEDICATION FOR MY ANIMAL AT THE CHUV?

The CHUV has its own pharmacy. You can therefore leave the hospital with all the necessary medication for your animal.

HOW CAN I RENEW A PRESCRIPTION?

You can renew a prescription online, by phone at 450-773-8521 ext. 8322 or in person directly at the CHUV’s pharmacy.

Please note that any shipment of medication by Purolator requires a signature from the person receiving the package.

HOW CAN I OBTAIN A COPY OF MY ANIMAL’S FILE?

To obtain a copy of your animal’s record, you must contact our archives at 450-773-8521 ext. 8334. The CHUV disposes of a maximum of 20 days following the deposition of your demand to provide you with your copy. Associated costs will be given at the time of your request.

CAN I VISIT THE CHUV?

Certain groups of students of college or university levels with joint interests may visit the CHUV. For more information please contact us at communications@chuv.umontreal.ca.

The CHUV being a hospital and a teaching institution as well as a work place, we cannot honor demands from the public. If you wish to find out more about our institution, we strongly encourage you to visit our website or to watch the episodes of “Hôpital vétérinaire” available on theTV5 website.